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Cast

Storyline

Richard Dawson hosted this TV game-show, which pitted members of two families against each other. Each team tried to guess the results of survey questions faster and more accurately than the other team.Written by
Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Did You Know?

Trivia

During vacation in Hawaii, Richard's manager called up Howard Felsher and telling him Richard really wants to have his contract reopened and would be mentally incapable from coming back from Hawaii to continue with the show unless the contract would be reopened. Howard advised Mark Goodson to not open the contract and if Dawson decides to quit the show, take the chance and let him quit because the show could stand on its own without Richard Dawson. However, the contract was reopened and Richard received an enormous salary of over $2,000,000 a year. Big bucks for a game show host in the '80s. See more »

Quotes

[During Fast Money]
Richard Dawson:
Name an article of clothing children always lose...
Contestant:
Their pants.
Richard Dawson:
The price of a dozen roses...
Contestant:
$1.75.
Richard Dawson:
Besides a bird, name something in a birdcage...
Contestant:
Hamster.
[pause]
Richard Dawson:
Make a note of this show.
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

User Reviews

Since Family Feud debuted in 1976, it has become of the best game shows of all-time as well as very durable. It's a very simple game and most important, it involves the home audience who can't watch without playing along. Richard Dawson's unique hosting style was also a key to the show's success. His kissing the female contestants was under fire early in the run, but viewer response was strongly in favor of his kissing. The diversity of the families was a positive representation of America's melting pot. Also memorable was announcer Gene Wood's introductions of the families.

In addition to the nine year ABC run, there was a syndicated version that began as a once a week show, expanded to twice a week and eventually Monday through Friday. Also, there were celebrity prime time specials.

As for the Ray Combs version, it went very well until the producers added the Bullseye round, tampering with a great format. Also, the death of creator Mark Goodson and his son Jonathan hiring a consultant to improve the show's ratings by bringing back Dawson didn't do any good. Ray Combs was an outstanding host and he shouldn't have been let go.

The current version fortunately stuck to the basic game but Louie Anderson was terrible as a host, despite his sign off "Be good to your family!" Richard Karn was an improvement over Anderson, despite his inexperience and John O'Hurley is a much better host, keeping the game moving and bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Through all the hosting changes, there has been one constant, the show's announcer, who is one of the best, Burton Richardson.

Hopefully the O'Hurley version will keep the classic game on the air for more years to come.

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